Newport board seats new member

Newport School Board added a new member, but not before questioning a former board member interested in returning to the position after a brief absence.

Karl Kauffman of Newport was chosen to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Robert Folk during the board's special Dec. 7 meeting. He is a longtime resident of the borough and works as a private manager, overseeing school construction for "numerous districts.'

Folk resigned in order to sit in his elected seat, and remains a member of the board. He was appointed to fill the seat after Greg Miller resigned last month. Four persons sought to fill the seat, including former board member Catherine Howell. Howell didn't seek re-election and left the board last month.

Cheryl Capozzoli and Jill Deimler questioned Howell about her eight-year run. Capozzoli asked if she was fully informed about topics that required decisions.

"So, in eight years, you said you weren't given any detail?' Capozzoli asked Howell.

"I didn't say we weren't given any," Howell fired back. "I said we weren't always given all the details.'

At a Nov. 16 meeting, Amy Stoy, food services director, informed the board she was filing a grievance against a board member. With the recent budget issues of the district, Stoy regularly has defended her staff at the meetings.

Stoy did not go into detail about the grievance, saying only that she received a phone call from a board member and was accused of "antagonizing the board.

"I have stood here at board meetings week after week defending my staff," Stoy said. "It was never my intent to be antagonistic and I don't believe I was being antagonistic.'

ethical to contact school district employees. Howell told Capozzoli she "knew what she was addressing," and discussed the incident with Stoy.

and was "misinterpreted' by the food services director. Furthermore, Howell said Stoy used substitutes instead of performing cafeteria duties herself "on a daily basis.

"I went in and viewed payroll, which I am entitled to as a board member and you are entitled to," Howell said. Capozzoli asked how she obtained the information. "Since there was a problem, I was looking into it.'

The questioning was put to a momentary stop by other board members, who voiced concerns about possible litigation. Superintendent Kerry Helm said he cannot publicly comment on the grievance, but the issue has not been addressed by the board.

Deimler asked Howell about spending and why she chose not to run for re-election. Howell responded that the board needs to look at ways to save, including benefits, and she chose not to run due to personal reasons.

Also seeking the seat were Michelle Deaven of Buffalo Twp. and Lorrie McNaughton of Newport.